Emergency WASH Response to displacement affected population in Liben zone, Somali Region

Objectives

This project targets prioritized zone in Somali region covering 4 woredas and 8 IDP sites reaching 26,451 individuals (13,541 F, 12,910 M). The target IDPs and host communities affected by conflict and live in spontaneous sites or settled within the host communities. The selected woredas are classified as severe by the WASH Cluster with limited basic services and were selected in close collaboration with Somali regional WASH cluster .The project aims to have increased equal and sustained access to reliable safe water, appropriate sanitation and hygiene services for the IDPs and host community women, men, boys and girls in the target locations. At the same time help in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the target locations as some of these camps are congested thus at high risk. This will be achieved through improving access to secure gender-sensitive water and sanitation facilities and intensive hygiene promotion activities. The facilities will conform to cultural norms of users, and through increased awareness of key public health risks and adoption of good Hygiene practices of targeted population in the zone. To ensure inclusion of all population groups, NRC will identify people with special needs and measures undertaken in the execution of the interventions or referred to specialized partners. Housing, land and property (HLP) assessment will be undertaken at the start of the project led by NRC core competency of Information, Counseling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). This assessment will identify protection issues as well as land issues which will guide implementation of planned infrastructures in this project. This will minimize any disputes or tensions over land ownership thus fostering good co-existence in the target locations. Activities related to outputs such as awareness raising campaigns and Hygiene promotion trainings, adequate water provision and the provision of hand washing stations, including trainings provision related to operation, maintenance amp management to WASH committees will support sustainable WASH infrastructure and services. This will ultimately improve public health status of the targeted population in proposed intervention locations.Recently agreed and endorsed "Guidelines for Needs Based Targeting of Humanitarian Response in Displacement Areas,April 2019" by National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC) will be used to ensure all assistance will be need based. NRC will focus lifesaving interventions for 7 months with flexibility to adjust in case of sudden spike in returned IDP numbers or new life threatening crises occurs. The project is integrated with other NRC core competencies of Education , ICLA, Livelihood and Food Security (LFS) and Shelter/ESNFI. This will ensure the beneficiaries receive an all inclusive interventions addressing most of their needs. Collaboration will also be done with health and nutrition partners to ensure unified approach given the close link between WASH, Health and Nutrition.